8.4.13

We all know
the “Institut de France” from outside. Approaching it on the Pont des Arts, we
admire the cupola and we know that it’s the place where all the French “académies”
have their official meetings.

I already
posted about this building in a post about the “Bibliothèque Mazarine” (Mazarin
library), in the eastern wing, and told the story about how it was originally
created as a “Colllège des Quatre Nations” and opened in 1682 – bequest by Cardinal
Mazarin at his death in 1661. This fantastic building (architect Le Vaux) was
thus a school building – for privileged pupils - until the Revolution. In 1805
Napoleon decided to make it the place for the French “académies”. (Previously they
were housed at the Louvre – actually they had disappeared during the
revolutionary years but were reestablished.)

Originally,
the space under the cupola was made as a chapel, where Mazarin’s tomb should be
placed. When the academies* were installed, the space was transformed - and has
been again, now with seats (in green for the academy members, in grey for
invited people).

The round
cupola that we see from the outside is less round seen from the inside. Through
the inner windows we can see that there are other windows behind.

Mazarin’s
tomb is now in the entrance hall. The beautiful monument (by Coysevox and
others) is however empty of its contents
– the Revolution passed. Actually there is another little cupola also over this
space. … and of course we can again find Napoleon.

On a photo
from around 1900 we can see that a statue was placed in front of the building.
For some reason, it has later been moved to a place nearby. The monument in
question from 1848 is the first official representation of the French Republic.

______________________________
*/

- Académie
Française (French Academy, concerning French language), founded in 1635
-Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-lettres (Academy of Humanities), founded
in 1663
-Académie des Sciences (Academy of Sciences), founded in 1666
-Académie des Beaux-arts (Academy of Fine Arts), created in 1816 after merger
of previous art and music academies
-Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques, (Academy of Moral and Political
Sciences), founded in 1795, suppressed in 1803 and reestablished in 1832

You're right, I've seen the cupola so many times - thanks for the look on the inside!I always love small, circular windows high up on the walls. If I ever build my own house, I'm definitely having those installed.

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My previous blog, PHO, was in operation for a year as from March 2007. It contains similar posts as this one, basically talking about different well known or more secrete sites in Paris. You can reach it by clicking HERE.